Red Heads Studio

Back in 1987 we saw the start of something called "Flying Winemakers"...top young Aussie winemakers flying over to help with the European vintage. Shock! Horror! But...the new ideas, the energy, optimism and talent really benefitted Europe...and...Europe gave the Aussies a lot of ideas in return. Like Red Heads, for example. See...the "flyers" got frustrated when they flew home to dull jobs in the mega wineries of the ho ho! "rationalized" Australian wine industry. They envied their French and Italian mates who made just the wines they wanted to make. With no money to set up their own wineries, they just made a few barrels in garages. Fantastic wines came out of tin sheds! Wine shippers in Britain and the US loved the stuff. They got backing and set up Red Heads in an old bar that they bought on the road out of McLaren Vale to Barossa. Red Heads was the name of the bar. Great name! They kept it. This is now where the keenest winemakers come after work to "do their thing." British, American, Aussie and even French customers love the idea of these red wine "heads" fanantically working away through the night making the great little wines they always wanted to make.

Justin Lane made just four barrels of his own in his garage. But also had a mate, 'Philbo', who made rather more in a bigger tin shack on Chalk Hill that he'd kitted out for bugger-all with cheap rainwater butts, garden hose, a converted milk chiller, clapped old pumps and casks scavenged from behind Hardy's. The mantra of Red Heads still rings aloud, 'Drink more wine!' The collective garagistes are still pushing it hard and producing some crazy juice.

Wine Spectator 88 "Floral notes add some charm to this plush red, with violet accents to the juicy black cherry and plum flavors. Spice, cedar and tobacco details show in the background. Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Merlot." "Powerful cherry and plum aromas are brightened by minerals and

Wine Spectator 91 WS TOP 100 2013 Rank 41 Supple, succulent and generous, with pure blackberry and purple plum flavors, hinting at vanilla and cream as the intense finish lingers on a medium-weight frame. Drink now through 2021. " Dark ruby. Smoky blackberry and blueberry on the nose, with

" Yard Dog. The old faithful friend. A beloved household pet the whole family adores. The quintessential companion. The same could be said for these Aussie varietals, almost every winery owns one. It is said that the personality of a dog will reflect that of its owner and the character of a wine

Wine Spectator 90 "Firm and focused, this is distinctive for its well-defined plum and blueberry flavors, which feature graphite and green olive shadings. Everything comes together harmoniously on the vibrant finish. Drink now through 2019." International Wine Cellar 90 " Dark ruby. Smoky

The Cab Sauv hails from three sites in the Vale as well as Fleurieu and Langhorne. The 'Yard Dogs' of Lagrein (southern Adelaide Hills), Sangiovese (Barossa Valley) bring a bit brighter and fleshier tone than previous incarnations. The Merlot (Langhorne Creek & McLaren Vale) softens things up a bit.

Robert Parker 90 "As the hilarious label says, Hear No Evil, See No Evil, Taste No Evil. A saturated ruby/purple color is accompanied by aromas and flavors of blackberries and licorice in this medium to full-bodied, classic Australian fruit bomb. Pure, ripe, and undeniably delicious, it should be